There are several different ways in which the emancipation of minors occurs. Once a minor has enlisted in the military, most states consider that minor to be emancipated, as the child no longer requires the support of their parents.
The emancipation of minors generally occurs when children enter into the armed forces because it is impractical for a parent to continue possessing guardianship of their child. When a minor enlists in the military, they emancipate from their parents and the Government becomes responsible for the care, support, and well-being of that individual. The military will enforce rules and carry out strict punishments for any individual that breaks or disobeys a rule.
The military provides the basic necessities that the minor will need in order to survive, including clothing, food, and shelter. The Government will also provide a stipend to anyone who enrolls in the military and any minor who wishes to emancipate and join the armed forces. Many times the Government will provide a minor who enlists in the military with money in order to further their education.
In most cases the child's parents are no longer providing the child with any form of financial support or the necessities that they need. Therefore, the emancipation of minors results when minors enlist. The minor is also no longer required to follow their parents’ rules. Instead, when a minor decides to emancipate by joining the armed forces, they are required to follow the rules of the military.
Any time that a minor disobeys a rule, they may face criminal punishment. Therefore, in most cases a minor who enlists in the military is legally relinquished from the care of their parents. There are some instances in which this may vary based on the situation. This usually depends on whether or not the parents continued to provide support to the child while they were enlisted in the military.